Photographer's Note

In 2014 I spent a week in Kanazawa, Japan. My trip represented a working vacation, in which I attended a conference, gave a lecture and probed as deep as a one-week visit would allow. Japan represents a multilayered culture, so very different than what is seen in the West, except for the Starbucks Coffee Houses that in many places replace Geisha houses with young people focused on their laptop screens. A world of Samurai Warriors, Ninja Assassins, Sumo wrestlers, Geisha women, Kabuki and Oiran performers… — it is all endlessly fascinating. Kabuki performances are highly lyrical plays allowing actors to demonstrate their range of skills in visual and vocal performance. These actors have carried the traditions of Kabuki through dozens of generations, indeed many of the actors tracing their ancestry and performing styles to the earliest Kabuki actors. Takero was gracious in offering a critical correction. "This is Oiran..." he writes, "in Kabuki they paint special lines on their faces."

According to the Britannica, the Kabuki form dates to the early 17th century, when a female dancer named Okuni (who had been an attendant at the Grand Shrine of Izumo), achieved popularity with parodies of Buddhist prayers. She assembled around her a troupe of wandering female performers who danced and acted. Okuni’s Kabuki was the first dramatic entertainment of any importance that was designed for the tastes of the common people in Japan. The sensuous character of the dances (and the prostitution of the actors) proved to be too disruptive for the government, which in 1629 banned women from performing. Young boys dressed as women then performed the programs, but this type of Kabuki was suppressed in 1652, again because of concern for morals. Finally, older men took over the roles, and it is this form of all-male entertainment that has endured to the present day. Kabuki plays grew in sophistication, and the acting became more subtle. Thus the stern looking performer in the photo is a man, playing a pregnant woman.

Finally, in terms of artistic composition, that vertical gold bar on the right is ultimately fortuitous.

One of the greatest painters in history, Vermeer, chose to illuminate the edge of a picture frame in one of his masterpieces, "Girl Holding a Balance."

Fabulous picture with the traditionally dressed actress, Bulent.
The red and purple backdrop is perfect for such a scene, which you wonderfully taken the advatage.
Immaculate smallest details appearing on.
Have a nice friday,
Ike

Hello Bulent,
Superb on stage capture of this actor and his/her splendid costume. Perfectly exposed with top class colours and clarity. I am off to Japan for a two week tour in October; my first trip so I am looking forward to it very much.

Hello Bülent,
Seeing this my thoughts are naturally drawn to the photos of our friend Takero, who has dug deep into Japanese culture with his photos. This is more of an on-stage situation but you have handled the light marvelously well and given us a perfect view of the woman's make-up and incredible dress.
Kind regards,
Gert

Reply to your visit to my picture.
Thank you very much for your additional link with sheep.

You comes on the grounds by us friend Takero, with are lovely portrait of Jananese people or dancers.
But also your portrait is very well photographed.
Colourful and sharp well photographed and perfrect made.
Composition and presetation are very well done, TFS.

Hello Bulent
A splendid full body portrait of this Kabuki player. A very rich and proud figure on this stage. A performance with majestic allures and a stunning colours combination.
Beautiful work.
Have a nice day
Groet Rob

Hello Bulent, it is the colours that immediately 'grab' the eyes initially.Then as we look closely, we can enjoy all the wonderful details of the beautiful costume.
Excellent sharp quality.
The polished floor adds to the overall effect.
Regards Jean.

Hello Bulent, very good picture of this actor perfectly disguised. Very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy weekend.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Angel.

Hello Bulent,
the performer's face is expressive and holds my attention as I try to figure out what feelings it could be conveying. I like the bold lighting of the scene and how it has vivified the colours and created a sense of drama. The colours are absolutely marvellous, I like how the warm tones make up the setting of the story. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great weekend,
Ourania

Hello Bulent,
nice the view of the performer that playing a pregnant woman, although she is looking like a grandmother.In China too, men dressed as women but this one doesn't looks like as a man.
The excellent light and colour management enhance even more the details of his clothes as his whole presentation.

What a fascinating history.
How strange that the correct gender is forbidden to act what happens in real life ... it's almost in denial!

It's a very well taken photograph, crisp, clear, well composed and with glorious colours, lighting and reflections.
I'm amazed that the actors don't stumble over their robes!
I wonder how long it takes to get the actors ready for a performance.

Selamlar Bülent Bey,
This is a vivid photo that jumps out of the screen. It displays great light management indoors and I am surprised there are none of the ordinary harsh shadows from your flash, did you use a diffuser?
Regards,
MT
PS. Thank you for the ws photo, I appreciate it. Is that program available for the Mac?

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day
wonderful photo of this Oiran dancer
I like this wonderful traditional dress
I like the lady and your useful notes
she seems almost alive
welldone and wellseen
regards
Costantino

Hi Bulent
Thanks for the note, I thought this was a a man as he lacks the graceful feminine features I see in other Japanese photos. It's a stunning portrait photo and that good bar is fortuitous indeed, it really compliments the composition
Cheers
Noel

Hi Bulent
i had a feeling this was a man dressed up as a woman :)
and you're so right, visiting Japan must be so different from everything we see in the Western North American world.
Japan is high up on my list to see, one day I'll get there.
this one must be hard to photograph due to low light, so i understand if its not 100% crisp. but man, it certainly catches our attention with its cultural elements, its colours, and its story. I'm envious that you got to experience this, excellent TE post.

PS
you asked about my drone. that photo was taken with the DJI Phantom 3. I now have a different drone, a DJI Mavik.
I've taken it up over 1000 feet! it has a range of about 2km.

Hi Bulent.
Wonderful portrait of this Geisha, which wears a traditional costume, truly spectacular along with the other beads, ideal for the background color, all a very beautiful set.
A magnificent color that gives much chromatic richness to the image.
Well done. I like it.
I wish you a nice week.
Very best regards.
Luis.